"Wherever he starts, he's the top favorite" - Mathieu van der Poel backed by his brother David

Mathieu van der Poel has had a spotless winter with a second consecutive season without a single defeat in cyclocross; an eighth record-breaking world title; and a stint of road training that has allowed him to begin his road season earlier than planned. His brother David argues that the Dutchman is ready to race and is in good condition to have another successful spring.

"Wherever he starts, he's the top favorite. That won't be any different on Saturday. He took the first few days off to recover mentally and physically. Now he's had three weeks of good training in Spain," David van der Poel said in an interview with Sporza.

Van der Poel has remained injury-free and healthy throughout the past few months and has thus reached his best level once again during the cyclocross season. There is no sign that there will be a slow down towards the spring, as he is now gearing up with Alpecin - Premier Tech to make his return to Omloop het Nieuwsblad, one of the top cobbled classics he does not yet have in his palmarès.

"I assume he was able to do everything he needed and wanted to do. Otherwise, he wouldn't start on Saturday. We know from the past that he starts in excellent condition and form. Let's hope that remains the case this Saturday."

He will ultimately be the main favourite in a route that has been made tougher, and with the climbs of the Muur de Geraardsbergen and Bosberg providing good launchpads for the former road World Champion; in which he will be able to accurately gauge his form ahead of the bigger spring goals.

But he might also have the space to attack from far, as he is only one of three cards for the Belgian team; who have also Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves as possibilities in case it comes back to a sprint. "And then there are a number of strong guys who will be 100% committed. That gives us some pawns to play with. I assume he'll make it a hard race and keep Jasper and Kaden in reserve."

"If he can win another Monument, then his spring will be a success. He gets three chances to do that. Anything more is a bonus. Although more is always welcome and fantastic. Two Monuments would be fantastic".

Van der Poel is the reigning champion at Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix, where he will be allowed to have a relatively more conservative approach as Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates - XRG are the teams expected to have the responsibility to attack.

However, at the Tour of Flanders he has the opportunity to take a record-breaking triumph, which is perhaps a bigger goal for the classics specialist. "The chance to become the sole record holder in an iconic race is extra motivating".

"We'll start with the Omloop, and then we'll see. He's already built up a record list that, with all due respect for those races, surpasses that. A win in Wevelgem or the Omloop won't change his career, but he'll be incredibly motivated to add those races," van der Poel concluded.